Full-Time Rat Backers

What you did you call me?! No, it’s not an insult. For the Albany River Rats, these are the dedicated season ticket holders that are the lifeblood of the organization.

Although it is only August, these hockey fans already have ice in their veins and got to preview the 2009-2010 season at the Times Union Center Thursday night. This is the team’s 17th American Hockey League campaign. With around 505 season ticket holders and another 400 with corporate sponsorship, the River Rats have the league’s #1 increase in pre-season ticket sales. The organization credits the increased interest to several factors including freezing ticket prices, offering aggressive discounted packages, and the renewed Glens Falls rivalry.

The Rats also announced their new slogan “Our Town, Your Team.” I set out to find some of the people that fervently support the Albany River Rats.

First-Time Season Holders

One of the new season holders include Richard Kretzschmar from Rensselaer. He and his brother grew up playing Watervliet Youth Hockey and has been playing since age 10. When his father passed away, Richard moved back to the Capital Region. He always enjoyed going to River Rat hockey games and this year decided to get season tickets. He looks forward to games as something to do on Saturday nights.

Bob Myers from Princetown started last year with a flex pack of 20 tickets to be used at anytime. By the end of the season he was up to three 20 packs! Buying season tickets was a logical transition for him. Bob brings his wife, kids (when they are not busy) and friends.

Casual Rat-Fan Turned Season Ticket Holder

Community Involvement

Buy Your 50/50 Tickets From Rosemary!

Rosemary first got involved in hockey when Union College started its hockey program years ago. At the time, Rosemary was employed at a Schenectady accounting firm who did a corporate sponsorship. When the company decided not to renew the season tickets, Rosemary took over. As a Glenville resident, she also got involved with the Adirondack Red Wings. When the team left the area, she came to the River Rats. Today, she is active in Fan Relations, team Booster Club and sells 50/50 tickets at the games. She loves hockey but is also involved in many other Capital Region organizations. Her busy schedule prevents “cabin fever”!

Family Fun

Shawn grew up playing hockey and is from the Capital Region. Lindsay grew up in the hockey town of Hershey Pennsylvania with the Hershey Bears (also last year’s Calder Cup Champions). It is only natural that their 3 year old son, Shea, would also be a hockey fan. The family first took Shea to a hockey game last year at age 2. They were not sure he would sit through an entire game but he didnt want to leave and couldnt stop taking about hockey! Shea gives the Rats players high fives and likes Rowdy the Rat, team mascot. Unfortunately his favorite player, Trevor Gillies (see him in action), will not be returning this year. That doesn’t matter, the family is now season ticket holders and will enjoy attending every home game.

Shawn, Lindsay & Shea - A River Rats Family

The Gray family from Troy and Larkin family from Brunswick fostered a family friendship at the River Rats games. The Grays have been season ticket holders for 7 years and had flex packages prior to that. They are proud to support the local hockey team. The Larkin family has had season tickets for 5 years. They use the fun outings to get through the Upstate winters and enjoy the hockey atmosphere. In fact, River Rats player Jakub Petruzalek (who is now playing in Finland) inspired the Larkin’s daughter to start playing girl’s ice hockey. She is now playing for Troy-Albany Ice Cats Under 14 team and still keeps in touch with Jakub. The Larkins like the cost-effective fun and have started going on some bus trips offered through the Booster Club to support the team.

Friendships, Fun and Fights - What keeps these families coming back for more!

River Rat Die-Hards

Table full of long-time Rats fans. Who said women cant love hockey too?!

You dont need to know anything about hockey to be a River Rats fan! Pat from Colonie worked at a radio station that broadcasted the Adirondack games. As a result, she got tickets to attend. Though she found hockey difficult to follow on TV, she quickly picked it up watching live. When the River Rats came to town, she liked the opportunity to watch hockey at a closer venue. She has now been a season ticket holder for 15+ years! Sandy from Cohoes had never been to a hockey game before. The outing was inspired by her son-in-law mentioning how fun a game was at a bachelor party (Ice Mice included?). She has been a season ticket holder for over 11 years now! The table of friends met at River Rats games and all have been season ticket holders for 12-16 years. In fact, 2 of the women are now family through marriage (I guess their families caught Rat-fever). They have been with the Rats through the good times and the bad times. They love seeing former Rat players make it to the NHL. They still talk about an epic game with 5 overtimes, on a work night, in the freezing cold (then emphatically state – wow, what a great game).

David from Scotia wanted to watch 1 River Rats game as something to do. Now, he has been a season ticket holder since 2003! He was sporting a jersey with signatures from all the players and even had the River Rats logo tattooed on his arm. (Talk about dedication!) His girlfriend, Penny, is also excited about watching the upcoming season.

River Rats Date Night! David even sports some Rat Ink.

The River Rats season opener is on October 3 with exhibition games starting in September. These are just a few people you may run into cheering the team on. Feel free to share your own River Rats story or thoughts on supporting our Capital Region teams. As we get closer to the season I might even introduce you to some of this season’s players (any single ladies out there?!).